Sail on Marella Cruises ships, and you can expect a relaxed and informal cruise experience. But what about Marella Cruises’ food?
When it comes to dining, Marella Cruises offers a tasty variety of options to suit almost every preference. In this blog, we’ll share with you the best dining venues on Marella Cruises, from elegant fine dining options to casual food choices that you can enjoy while relaxing by the pool.
We’ll also answer frequently asked questions, such as:
Is Marella Cruises’ food good?
Is food included on Marella Cruises?
What are Marella Cruises’ speciality restaurants?
What vegan and vegetarian options are available on Marella Cruises?
When can I book restaurants on Marella Cruises?
So, if you’re planning a Marella Cruises cruise holiday soon, sit back, read on and let us whet your appetite!
What to expect from the food on Marella Cruises
Before we dive into the best restaurants on Marella Cruises, let’s take a look at an overview of your dining options.
Dining on Marella Cruises is divided into two categories: included options, which are part of your cruise fare, and speciality dining restaurants, where you can indulge in premium culinary experiences for a nominal fee.
Most speciality dining restaurants stick to dinner and (sometimes) lunch services. However, you’ll be able to find something delicious to eat from one of the included options throughout most of the day and into the late evening.
While there are similarities in dining options across Marella’s fleet, each ship has unique venues that offer different styles and flavours. We’ll highlight where you can find some of the best restaurants on Marella Cruises throughout this blog.
Best included food on Marella Cruises
One of the first questions cruise guests ask when looking at food choices is, ‘Do Marella Cruises include food?’ The great news is, yes, Marella Cruises offers a variety of dining venues that are included in your cruise fare, ensuring you won’t go hungry during your journey.
Main dining rooms
All of Marella Cruises’ ships feature elegant main dining rooms where you can savour a mix of international and local cuisine included in your cruise fare. The menus often change daily, serving a diverse selection of appetisers, main courses, and desserts. Whether you’re a fan of classic dishes or crave exotic flavours, these dining rooms have something to satisfy every palate.
On Marella Cruises’ new ship, Voyager, you’ll find the bright and spacious Latitude 53. This venue is spread across two decks, with floor-to-ceiling windows for stunning sea views while you enjoy some of Marella Cruises’ best food! Latitude is the ship’s main restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serving a wide variety of dishes.
Buffet restaurants
If you’re seeking a more casual dining experience, Marella Cruises buffet restaurants are a fantastic choice. Here, you’ll find an extensive spread of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including international dishes, fresh salads, and mouthwatering desserts.
The relaxed atmosphere makes it perfect for a quick and convenient meal. It is also where you’ll find some of the best of Marella Cruises’ family food, with options for even the pickiest eaters!
For freshly made pizzas, grilled-to-order paninis or design-your-own stir fries, check out The Market Place – the buffet option on Marella Explorer. As far as included food on Marella Cruises goes, these dishes are some of the tastiest!
Snack Options
When you need a quick bite between meals or a late-night snack, you’ll find various snack options onboard Marella Cruises’ ships, from pizzerias and burger bars to ice cream parlours. As another included food option on Marella Cruises, these offer a convenient way to refuel while enjoying the ship’s amenities and activities.
Snack Shack is Marella Cruises’ iconic grab ‘n’ go food option, found on all its ships. From its festive food stalls located near the pool area, you’ll find a menu that includes delicious burgers, mezze salads, focaccia sandwiches, and classic comfort foods. It’s open all day, making it an ideal spot to refuel while enjoying the sun and sea breeze.
Best Marella Cruises Specialty Restaurants
For those seeking a more upscale dining experience, Marella Cruises offers speciality restaurants that provide a memorable culinary journey at an additional cost. Here are a few standout options:
Abuela’s – Marella Voyager
Abuela’s is one of Marella Cruises’ newest speciality dining options. Found on Marella Voyager, it serves classic Mexican options made from authentic ingredients. Open for lunch and dinner, it is the place to go if you’re a fan of tasty tacos and nachos.
Kora La – All Marella ships
For lovers of Asian cuisine, Kora La is a must-visit. This speciality restaurant serves delicious dishes inspired by pan-Asian flavours, including Thai, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. The menu, consisting of elegant curries, noodles, gyozas and bespoke dishes, delivers a fusion of bold spices, savoury flavours, and exquisite presentation.
Platter – Marella Voyager
If you love to sit back and enjoy a sharing plate of cheeses, meats and deli treats, you have to pay a visit to Platter. As another of the new dining venues found on Voyager, Platter is open from late afternoon until the evening and serves a variety of deli boards alongside your favourite tipple.
Surf & Turf Steakhouse – All Marella ships
If you’re looking to elevate your dining experience to a new level of luxury, make a reservation at Surf & Turf. Expect succulent steaks cooked to perfection, an array of fresh seafood options and plenty of vegetarian dishes that will tantalise your taste buds. With an intimate and stylish ambience, Surf & Turf is the perfect choice for a romantic dinner or a special celebration.
The Dining Club – Marella Explorer and Explorer 2
For those seeking the ultimate sophisticated dining experience, The Dining Club on Marella Explorer and Explorer 2 is a must-visit. The menu is a masterpiece of fine dining cuisine, offering luxurious dishes such as seared scallops in Champagne butter, beef short ribs in whisky sauce and sautéed lobster with morels.
Once a week, it also hosts The Great Musical Afternoon Tea. On these afternoons, the restaurant is transformed with show posters and memorabilia and serves dishes inspired by famous musicals.
How much are speciality restaurants on Marella Cruises?
While you do need to pay a bit extra to dine at Marella Cruises’ speciality restaurants, the experience is more than worth it. The supplement is a lot less than what you would have to pay to dine at this calibre of restaurants on land and is guaranteed to add to the magic of your cruise experience!
Marella Cruises’ vegan and vegetarian food
While Marella Cruises has offered dishes to accommodate various dietary preferences and allergies across its ships for some time, the revamped menus on its newest ship offer even more choice! On Voyager, Marella Cruises’ vegetarian, vegan and meat-free options feature on most menus, with more than 37 new dishes to enjoy.
However, it is always worthwhile letting the cruise line know of any dietary requirements before your holiday so its crew can ensure you enjoy the most satisfying dining experiences.
Marella Cruises and food allergies
If you or a family member has food allergies, also be sure to inform Marella Cruises in advance. Its culinary team is trained to handle allergy requests. They can provide you with information about allergens present in the dishes and will work to accommodate your needs.
When can I book restaurants on Marella Cruises?
It’s advisable to book your speciality dining options early, as popular venues tend to fill up quickly. You can typically reserve your dining preferences well in advance of your cruise, often starting from the moment you confirm your cruise booking. You can also book at the onboard reception or using the Marella Cruises App.
Marella Cruises offers a fantastic choice of dining venues for your cruise, with flavours from around the world and styles to suit every moment of your holiday. From the outstanding variety in the main dining rooms and buffets to the speciality venues that will elevate your dining adventures, there’s something for everyone.
